It's not about the money says ex-Rangers star Gregg Wylde as he returns 'home' to St Mirren

'THERE'S more to life than money' explained the winger who joined the Buddies yesterday following his surprise release by Aberdeen.

Gregg Wylde: "It’s going to be great to get home from training and have my mum making my dinner for me."

GREGG WYLDE last night admitted the lure of his mum’s home cooking and the chance of regular football made a move from Aberdeen to St Mirren a formality.

The 22-year-old signed an 18-month deal with the Buddies after a frustrating spell on the fringes with the Dons just months after leaving Bolton.

Despite failing to make an impression at Pittodrie, Wylde insists home comforts can help him kickstart his career.

Aberdeen could use the departure of Wylde to fund a move for Blackburn’s David Goodwillie.

But as far as the former Rangers wideman is adamant his switch to Paisley is about finding harmony on and off the pitch.

Wylde said: “Homesickness has hit me and there’s more to life than money. I just want to start enjoying football again.

“I’m looking forward to waking up in my own bed again. Any time I was home from Aberdeen it was only for 24 hours and I was straight back up the next day.

“It’s going to be great to get home from training and have my mum making my dinner for me.

“My sister Emma has had a wee boy and it’s going to be great to be home to get to see him as well as being able to try to help St Mirren.

“When I left Rangers I went down south to Bolton then came back up the road to Aberdeen. But it was getting to the stage I was travelling all over the UK and Scotland.

“Now I want to stay at the one club and stay at home. I want to be around my family and friends and be happy off the field as well as on it.

“When I was going home after training at Aberdeen and Bolton I was just sitting about with nothing to do. So it’s important to be back home in Glasgow and I can now do different things.

“Being around people who care about you matters. When you’re not playing and on your own it’s doubly difficult to take.

“Now I’ve moved to St Mirren I can start to settle down.”

Wylde managed just four starts at Pittodrie and admits the reversal of fortunes for the Dons this season made it even more difficult to make his mark.

He said: “I need to get back playing again. The manager Derek McInnes came to see me last week and asked me about the playing side of things. So I told him I hadn’t played as much as I would have liked.

“He understood that but he said it was down to the team doing so well recently and I couldn’t argue with that.

“It was so hard to break into his team and he knew my mind was set on a change.

“It’s part of my misfortune that Aberdeen have been doing so well this season. I believe they will finish second this season and get themselves into Europe.

“Boys like Ryan Jack and Peter Pawlett have been doing really well and they have been real stars this season.

“I looked at the way Peter went on loan to St Johnstone last season, played games and got back to the level he was capable of. That’s what I now need to do.”

After completing his medical and signing on the dotted line, Wylde is delighted to feel wanted by Saints boss Danny Lennon and could be included against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday.

He said: “I spoke to the St Mirren manager and he was fantastic with me.

“I like his football philosophy as I’ve watched his teams when I was with Rangers and Aberdeen.

“They play good football and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“I’m no longer the promising youngster who was with Rangers, St Mirren are my fourth club now. I’m still only 22 and I want to get back to enjoying my football and playing at a level which I know I’m capable of.

“Aberdeen are a great club and the fans were fantastic with me. They’re right behind the team this season and you can see everything is on a high.

“I now need to focus fully on St Mirren but I wish my old club all the best.”